Voters to settle Dist. 3 Senate race on Tuesday

FARMINGTON — The results of Tuesday's special Senate election won't tilt the power of balance in the Senate, where Democrats held a 14-10 majority over Republicans before the District 3 vacancy arose.

But both parties have been going full force ahead of Election Day, with Wolfeboro Republican Jeb Bradley spending $50,501 of the $96,918 he raised and Center Sandwich Democrat Willard "Bud" Martin spending $30,022 of the $65,425 he raised, according to the latest finance report filed April 15.

Against the backdrop of a deep state budget deficit, the candidates have traded barbs over taxes and spending while coming down on social issues such as gay marriage and the death penalty.

Bradley has called for across-the-board cuts and no new or increased taxes while Martin wants targeted but "severe" cuts and is against any tax hikes at this time. Bradley opposes repealing the death penalty and gay marriage while Martin said he supports gay marriage and opposes the death penalty.

Early on, Bradley came out against a bill to extend anti-discrimination rights to transgender individuals, saying it's unnecessary and opens the door to misuse of public bathrooms. Martin initially would only say he harbors a "core value of inclusion" before letting it be known he's against the bill because of the way it's currently written.

Behind the headlines and candidate meet-and-greets there's been chatter the race, the only game in town, is a referendum on two fronts: what voters thinks of the direction of the Democratic-controlled Legislature and how the GOP, under the chairmanship of former Gov. John H. Sununu, is doing after losing its way electorally in the 2006 election and making modest gains since then.

Last week, amid Republicans pointing out the help Martin has received from an out-of-state, equality-minded group, Democratic Party Executive Director Mike Brunelle said "this is a huge test for all of them involved."

Bradley said the focus of this race is simple.

"This race is an issue about who keep commitments," he said. "It's not about Gov. Sununu, it's not about Jeb Bradley. It's about the state of New Hampshire. This is about how we are going to weather a terrible recession."

Andy Smith, the University of New Hampshire pollster and political expert, said it serves Republicans well to focus on the budget since "taxes are a big motivator" for voters, especially the partisans that tend to dominate elections like these.

Smith gave the edge to Bradley, a former state representative and two-term Congressman back on his feet after two straight losses, because he enjoys broader name recognition than Martin in the Republican-favored district.

Former Sen. Bill Denley, a Wakefield Republican, won the seat last year despite Democrats enjoying more success statewide up and down the ballot. Denley resigned after being charged with driving while intoxicated.

From the start of the campaign, Bradley has had to face questions whether his interest really lies with higher office. He is adamant it does not. Democrats have also revived their attack on him being a "crony" of former President George W. Bush.

Martin, an attorney and retired district court judge, has had to transition from being in a position where it's his job to deliberate to an environment where he's expected to respond swiftly to attacks and pointed questions on the issues. Republicans have also attacked him for harboring a radical liberal agenda.

It's been an interesting transition from judge to candidate, Willard said.

"In an editorial conference like this, where I can explain and give a sense of where I'm coming from, I'm very relaxed," he told Foster's editors. "Out in the hustings — where it's 'Are you for this or are you against this?' — I bristle."